Box

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to boxes, particularly boxes formed from polymer materials, especially expanded polystyrene (EPS) or other expanded polymer materials. However, the invention is applicable to boxes generally, including those formed from cardboard, board, wood, metal, etc. Boxes formed from EPS or other expanded polymer materials are used in vast numbers for a huge range of purposes. For example, such boxes are used generally as transport containers, for transporting all manner of goods, including raw and processed food, plants, electrical products, chemical products, pharmaceutical products, and biological materials. Boxes formed from such materials have many advantages, including low manufacturing cost, thermal insulation properties, low density, and impact resistance. However, boxes that cannot be collapsed to a flat configuration for transportation when empty suffer from the disadvantage that the cost of their transportation (when empty) is generally significant in comparison to their manufacturing cost. While the use of boxes that can be collapsed flat for transportation when empty can solve this problem in some situations, such collapsible boxes are not suitable for all purposes nor universally adopted, wherever appropriate, in view of the fact that despite collapsible boxes having been available for many years, non-collapsible boxes are still used in vast numbers. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the above problems and provides an improved box with sidewall having gaps to enable boxes to fit together in an overlapping configuration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to boxes, particularly boxes formed frompolymer materials, especially expanded polystyrene (EPS) or otherexpanded polymer materials. However, the invention is applicable toboxes generally, including those formed from cardboard, board, wood,metal, etc.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Boxes formed from EPS or other expanded polymer materials (e.g. expandedpolypropylene (EPP), expanded polyethylene (EPE), etc.) are used in vastnumbers for a huge range of purposes. For example, such boxes are usedgenerally as transport containers, for transporting all manner of goods,including (but not limited to) raw and processed food, plants(horticulture), electrical products (including “white” goods), chemicalproducts, pharmaceutical products, and biological materials. Boxes (e.g.transport containers) formed from such materials have many advantages,including low manufacturing cost, thermal insulation properties, lowdensity (and thus low overall weight), and impact resistance.

However, boxes that cannot be collapsed to a flat configuration fortransportation when empty suffer from the disadvantage that the cost oftheir transportation (when empty) is generally significant in comparisonto their manufacturing cost. This is due to the amount of space occupiedby the box, i.e. the relatively large volume occupied by the boxcompared to a box that has been collapsed flat, which means that arelatively small number of boxes can be transported in a particularvolume (e.g. on a truck, or in a shipping container). For example, atypical cost of transporting an empty EPS box can be similar to the costof manufacturing the box. Consequently, the transportation cost cansignificantly increase the “effective” manufacturing cost of the box(i.e. the cost of manufacturing and supplying the box). While the use ofboxes that can be collapsed flat for transportation when empty can solvethis problem in some situations, such collapsible boxes are not suitablefor all purposes nor universally adopted, wherever appropriate, in viewof the fact that despite collapsible boxes having been available formany years, non-collapsible boxes are still used in vast numbers.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the above problems.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved box which canovercome or ameliorate the above problems.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided abox, comprising a base and an upstanding sidewall defining an interiorvolume of the box, the sidewall including at least one gap extendingfrom a top edge thereof and at least one insert; whereby, in use, eachgap is closed by a respective insert to provide a continuous upstandingsidewall; and, in a storage mode, each gap is operable to accept asidewall of a corresponding mirror-image version of the box such thatthe sidewall of a box could be received in the gap and a portion of theupstanding wall can be received in a gap defined in a wall of saidcorresponding mirror-image version of the box, thereby allowing theboxes to fit together in an overlapping configuration.

The invention has the great advantage that by the provision of one ormore gaps in the sidewall of the box and the inserts removed ordisplaced therefrom, the sidewall of another box may be received in suchgap(s), thereby allowing the boxes to fit together in an overlappingconfiguration (i.e. in which at least portions of the respectivesidewalls overlap each other). Consequently, by means of the invention,boxes having upstanding sidewalls may be stacked together in overlappingconfigurations, therefore taking up less space than they would do so ifstacked conventionally in a non-overlapping manner.

It is to be understood that the reference to a “mirror-image version” ofthe box does not imply the actual presence of such a mirror-imageversion of the box. The reference merely indicates a structural factconcerning the box itself, namely that the structure of the box (i.e. asingle box according to the invention) is such that if a mirror-imageversion of that box were present, it could be received in the gap in thesidewall of the box, thereby allowing the boxes to fit together in anoverlapping configuration. The structure of the mirror-image version ofthe box is determined entirely by the structure of the box itself, andby the logical laws of symmetry. (It is to be understood, of course,that by “mirror-image” is meant a hypothetical image produced by ahypothetical perfect plane mirror.) The definition of the box accordingto the first aspect of the invention consequently defines a single suchbox, rather than a pair of boxes. The “mirror-image version” of the boxis not (necessarily) actually present in the definition of the firstaspect of the invention. However, as explained below, a second aspect ofthe invention provides a set of boxes comprising two (or more) boxes; inat least some embodiments of that aspect of the invention, a second boxmay be a mirror-image version of the first box, which mirror-imageversion is actually present.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the base is unitary with thesidewall (for example, the sidewall and the base may be moulded as aunit).

It will be understood that when a pair of boxes having bases are fittedtogether in an overlapping manner, with the top edge of the sidewall(and some or all of the height of the sidewall) of one box received in agap extending from the top edge of the other box, the undersides of therespective bases of the two boxes will form the top and bottom of thefitted-together pair of boxes (if the boxes are oriented with the baseof one box lowermost). That is, the two boxes will have oppositeorientations when fitted together. If one of the boxes is orientedupright, the other box will be inverted (“upside down”).

For those embodiments of the invention in which the box includes aunitary base, the “top edge” of the sidewall is the edge of the sidewallfurthest from the base. In those embodiments of the invention in whichthe box does not include a unitary base (e.g. it is a ring extension)the “top edge” of the sidewall may be arbitrary. However, at least insome versions, there may be a true “top edge” of a ring extension,because the ring extension may be configured to be located on the topedge of another box in a predetermined orientation. In such versions,the “top edge” from which the gap (or gaps) extends may, or may not, bethe “true” top edge.

As mentioned above, a second aspect of the invention provides a set ofboxes comprising a first box according to the first aspect of theinvention, and a second box comprising an upstanding sidewallsurrounding a further interior volume of the box, the first and secondboxes configured such that they are able to fit together in anoverlapping configuration by the sidewall of the second box beingreceived in at least one said gap in the sidewall of the first box.

The set of boxes may comprise only two boxes, i.e. a pair of boxes.Alternatively, for example, the set of boxes may comprise a plurality ofpairs of boxes.

It is to be understood that any feature of the first aspect of theinvention may be a feature of the second aspect of the invention, andvice versa.

The second box may be a box according to the first aspect of theinvention. In some embodiments of the invention, the second box is amirror-image version of the first box.

In some embodiments of the invention, the sidewall of the (or each) boxincludes only one gap. Alternatively, the sidewall may include two gaps.For example, such a gap may be included in each of two faces of thesidewall, especially in each of two mutually substantially perpendicularfaces of the sidewall. As another alternative, the sidewall of the boxmay include more than two such gaps.

For those embodiments of the invention in which the second box is a boxaccording to the first aspect of the invention, preferably the first andsecond boxes are configured such that they are able to fit together inan overlapping configuration by the sidewall of the second box beingreceived in at least one said gap in the sidewall of the first box, andby the sidewall of the first box being received in at least one said gapin the sidewall of the second box. In such embodiments, the second boxmay be a mirror-image version of the first box, or at least havemutually corresponding walls and slots and the two boxes are ofdiffering sizes and/or shapes, for example.

Alternatively, however, it is possible for gaps in the sidewall of onlyone of the boxes to receive the sidewall of the other box. For example,one of the boxes may have two (or more) gaps in its sidewall, which gapsreceive the sidewall of the other box. (The other box may, or may not,itself also have one or more gaps in its sidewall.)

For certain materials, such as cardboard, the gap may be formed by aflap element formed from a sidewall. Prior to first use the flap maystill be an integral part of the sidewall, retained by a hinge along oneside and by perforations along the other edges of the flap and isconveniently so retained prior to being nested for the first time. Withsubsequent use of the box, the flap may conveniently be taped so that itis flat with respect to the sidewall, using adhesive-backed tape toensure that the contents of the box does not empty through the apertureor slot defined by the sidewall when the flap is open.

An insert may be a separate member and may be configured to be slideablyinserted into the gap from the top edge of the box. For example, aninsert may be slidable into a gap in the sidewall of the box by means ofat least one protrusion and/or groove of the insert engaging with atleast one respective groove and/or protrusion of the sidewall. Suchrespective sidewall and insert pairs are conveniently configured suchthat when the insert is inserted into the gap, it is retained in the gapagainst movement perpendicular to the sidewall. Additionally oralternatively, the sidewall and the insert may be configured such thatwhen the insert is inserted into the gap, it is retained in the gap suchthat it substantially prevents widening of the gap due to flexing of thesidewall. Consequently, the insert in such a configuration may besecurely engaged in the gap.

A box according to the invention preferably includes a lid that isengageable with the top edge to close the box. However, for some uses alid may not be required.

Boxes according to the invention may advantageously be transportcontainers, for example. That is, the boxes may be used for transportinggoods or other items, e.g. by freight or by mail (including courierdelivery). However, in the broadest aspects of the invention, the boxesmay be used for any purpose.

As indicated above, boxes according to the invention may be formed fromany material from which boxes may be constructed. For example, they maybe formed from cardboard, board, wood, metal, etc. However, theinvention is believed to be particularly useful for boxes formed frompolymer materials, especially expanded polymer materials. In particular,boxes according to the invention may be formed from expanded polystyrene(EPS), but they may also be formed from expanded polypropylene (EPP),expanded polyethylene (EPE), etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 (views (a) to (c)) shows an embodiment of a box according to theinvention, including two enlarged views of an insert of the box;

FIG. 2 (views (a) and (b)) shows two embodiments of a set of boxesaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 (views (a) to (c)) shows an embodiment of a box according to theinvention, which is part of a set of boxes according to the invention(the set being shown in view (c));

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a set of boxes according to theinvention;

FIG. 5 shows, schematically, embodiments of two groove profiles in gapsin sidewalls of boxes according to the invention; and

FIGS. 6 & 7 show a still further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There will now be described, by way of example only, the best modecontemplated by the inventor for carrying out the present invention. Inthe following description, numerous specific details are set out inorder to provide a complete understanding to the present invention. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present inventionmay be put into practice with variations of the specific.

FIG. 1 (a ) shows an embodiment of a box 1 according to a first aspectof the invention. The box 1 comprises an upstanding sidewall 3surrounding an interior volume 5 of the box, and a base 7 from which thesidewall 3 stands. The base 7 and sidewall 3 are of unitaryconstruction, for example having been moulded as a single item, e.g.from expanded polystyrene. (As mentioned above, boxes according to theinvention can be formed from substantially any material suitable forforming boxes, but a particularly preferred material is expandedpolystyrene.) The sidewall 3 comprises four substantially flat faces 9,and the box 1 is substantially rectangular in plan view. A top edge 11of the sidewall 3 includes a conventional external recess 13 extendingaround the entire sidewall, the recess being provided to receive acorresponding lip of a lid 15 (not shown in FIG. 1, but shown in FIG. 3(a )) of the box 1. The recess 13 includes indentations 17, arranged tomate with corresponding protrusions (not shown) on the lip of the lid15, to assist in the fitting of the lid to the top edge 11 of thesidewall 3 of the box 1.

The sidewall 3 of the box includes a gap 19 extending from the top edge11 of the sidewall. The gap 19 is in the form of a slot havingsubstantially parallel sides, which slot extends from the top edge 11almost to the base 7 of the box. The gap (slot) 19 has a width (alongthe sidewall 3) that is very slightly wider than the thickness of thesidewall (perpendicular to the sidewall). Thus, purely as an example, ifthe sidewall has a thickness of about 3 mm, the gap may have a width ofabout 3.5 mm. The periphery of the gap 19 (i.e. an edge of the sidewall3 defining the gap 19) includes a groove 21, which is open at the topedge 11 of the sidewall 3. This groove 21 is arranged to receive acorresponding protrusion 23 of an insert 25 arranged to be inserted intothe gap 19 substantially to close the gap and to make the sidewallsubstantially continuous.

The insert 25 is shown in two enlarged views, in views (b) and (c) ofFIG. 1. In view (b), the uppermost surface 27 of the insert 25 isarranged to form part of the external surface of the sidewall 3 of thebox 1, when the insert is inserted into the gap 19. In view (c), theuppermost surface 29 of the insert 25 is arranged to form part of theinternal surface of the sidewall 3 of the box 1, when the insert isinserted into the gap 19. Thus, the protrusion 23 arranged to engagewith the groove 21 in the gap 19 in the sidewall 3 of the box extendsaround the sides and bottom of the insert 25. The top region of theinsert provides profiles corresponding to the recess 13, and anindentation 17, in the top edge 11 of the sidewall, thereby providingcontinuations of the these profiles when the insert is inserted into thegap 19 in the sidewall 3. The insert 25 may be inserted into the gap 19in the sidewall 3 via the open upper end of the gap, by sliding theinsert in a downwards direction from the top edge 11 of the sidewalltowards the base 7 of the box, and the insert may be removed from thegap by sliding it in an opposite, upwards, direction. When inserted intothe sidewall 3, the insert is retained in place in a vertical directionby gravity and friction, and in a horizontal direction (i.e.perpendicular to the side wall) by the engagement between the protrusion23 and the groove 21. When a lid 15 closes the box 1, the lid also actsto retain the insert 25 in place in the gap 19.

Preferably, the, or each, such gap in the sidewall of the box comprisesa slot. The slot preferably extends in a substantially perpendiculardirection with respect to the top edge and/or with respect to a base ofthe box. Advantageously the, or each, slot may be defined bysubstantially parallel opposite sides in the sidewall. Alternativelythe, or each, slot may taper in a direction away from the top edge, forexample.

The, or each, slot or other such gap preferably is no wider than 25%wider than the thickness of the sidewall, more preferably no wider than10% wider than the thickness of the sidewall, so that when a sidewall ofa similar or identical box is received in the gap, preferably the fit isclose or moderately close. This has the advantage of providing stabilityor rigidity to the fitted together boxes, for example so that if theyare stacked with other pairs of boxes, the entire stack preferably hasat least reasonable stability. It also has the advantage that preferablya pair of boxes fitted together in an overlapping manner according tothe invention can be handled substantially as a unit, therebyfacilitating their handling.

In some embodiments of the invention (particularly, but not exclusively,embodiments in which the sidewall of a box is thin) the sidewall mayinclude a relatively thick region (relative to the rest of the sidewall)in which a gap (e.g. a slot) is provided. This has the advantage ofstrengthening the sidewall in the region of the gap.

With regard to the stability of a plurality of the boxes (e.g. aplurality of fitted together pairs of boxes) when stacked,advantageously the underside of the base of each box may be profiled toengage with a corresponding underside of a base of another box, toreduce the possibility of relative lateral movement between two boxesstacked base-to-base. For example, the profiling of the underside of thebase of a box may comprise one or more protrusions (e.g. one or more“dimples”) and/or one or more recesses (e.g. one or more hollowscorresponding to a respective dimple).

Preferably the, or each, gap in a sidewall of a box according to theinvention has a depth of at least 25% of the height of the sidewall.More preferably, the, or each, such gap has a depth of at least 50%,especially at least 75%, of the height of the sidewall. In somepreferred embodiments of the invention, the, or each, such gap has adepth of substantially the entire height of the sidewall.

It may be advantageous for the insert 25 to be retained in the gap 19 insuch a way also to prevent widening of the gap due to flexing of thesidewall. Consequently, the groove 21 in the periphery of the gap 19 mayhave a shape such as that shown in FIG. 5 (a) or FIG. 5 (b) (or asimilar shape). The grooves 31 and 33 shown in FIG. 5 are arranged toengage with a respective corresponding protrusion (not shown) of aninsert. Because the grooves 31 and 33 include regions 35 that are widerthan their openings 37, an insert that engages with such grooves willsubstantially prevent any widening of the gap 19.

FIG. 2 (views (a) and (b)) shows two embodiments of a set of boxes (infact, two pairs of boxes) according to the invention. In each set ofboxes, one of the boxes comprises a box 1 according to the invention,having two gaps 19 in its sidewall 3, whereas the other box 37 is not abox according to the invention (although it is box of a set of boxesaccording to the invention) because the box 37 does not have any gaps 19in its sidewall 3. The gaps 19 are situated in respective mutuallyperpendicular faces of the sidewall 3, adjacent to opposite corners 39of the box 1. One of the gaps 19 is identical to that shown in FIG. 1(i.e. including a groove 21), whereas the other gap 19 is shown withoutany such groove, for simplicity. As with the box 1 shown in FIG. 1, theboxes 1 and 37 shown in FIG. 2 each have four substantially flat faces,and are generally rectangular in plan view.

The two gaps 19 of each box 1 in FIG. 2 are shown open (i.e. they arenot closed by inserts 25). As shown in view (b), the conventional box 37and the novel box 1 may be fitted together in an overlappingconfiguration, by inverting one of the boxes (in the figure, box 1 isinverted, but box 37 could be inverted instead) and by causing thesidewall of box 37 to be received in the gaps 19 in the sidewall 3 ofbox 1. It is clearly seen from view (b) of FIG. 2, that the volumeoccupied by the two boxes fitted together in this overlapping manner issignificantly less than would be the case if the boxes were simplystacked with one on top of the other (which would be the case in theabsence of the present invention). This decrease in volume isparticularly marked because the gaps 19 in the sidewall 3 are positionedadjacent to the opposite corners 39 of the box 1, which has the effectof substantially maximising the overlap between the boxes 1 and 37 whenthey are fitted together. Consequently, a greater number of empty boxesmay be stored and transported in a given volume than hitherto, by meansof the present invention. Therefore, the costs of storing andtransporting the boxes may be significantly reduced due to theinvention.

As explained above, in some embodiments of the invention, the box 1 mayinclude only a single gap 19 in its sidewall 3, for example as shown inFIG. 3. (The boxes shown in FIG. 3 are similar to the box shown in FIG.1, and the same reference numerals indicate corresponding features.) Insuch embodiments, the box 1 may be fitted together with another box 1according to the invention, which other box 1 is a mirror-image versionof the box 1. This is shown in FIG. 3 (c), in which two boxes 1according to the invention, which are mirror-images of each other, arefitted together with the sidewall 3 of each box received in the gap 19of the other box. The gap 19 in one of the boxes is shown, whereas thegap 19 in the other box is hidden, but its location is indicated by anarrow.

Also as explained above, in the broadest definitions of the presentinvention, the structure of the box is defined with reference to itsmirror-image FIG. 3 (c) thus illustrates a set of two boxes according tothe invention, which boxes are mirror-image versions of each other, andFIG. 3 (c) also provides an illustration of how a box according to theinvention could (in a virtual, or imaginary way) be fitted together withits own mirror-image.

Generally, the sidewall of a box according to the invention can have anythickness, but for most boxes the sidewall will have a thickness in therange of 2 mm to 150 mm, preferably in the range of 5 mm to 100 m. Forexample, for expanded polystyrene boxes, some “standard” wallthicknesses include: 22 mm; 25 mm; 35 mm; 40 mm; 50 mm; and 65 mm.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the box furthercomprises an element having a sidewall without a base or comprises oneof a pair wherein, each continuous sidewall of a pair has correspondinggaps, each gap extending partially in relation to the height of thesidewall, wherein the gaps are appropriately spaced to enable stacking.In such embodiments, the box may be a so-called “ring” extension, forexample, which can be located on the top edge of another box having abase (or indeed on another ring extension which itself is located on abox with a base, or on another ring extension). Such ring extensions areused to increase the depth of a box in a versatile manner.

FIG. 4 shows a further set of boxes according to the invention, whichboxes are fitted together in an overlapping configuration. In this setof boxes, box 41 comprises only a sidewall 3, and does not include abase 7. Box 41 may, for example, comprise a ring-extension, e.g. asdescribed above.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 & 7, there is shown a still further embodimentin accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the box ismanufactured from a sheet material: FIG. 6 shows the box 60 withuppermost flaps 62, 63 extending parallel with a base to form a closedbox. Dashed line 64 indicates a flex-portion about which flap 65 canhinge about flex or otherwise depend, as can be clearly seen withreference to FIG. 7, which shows the box with uppermost flaps dependingdownwardly, within the box and with flap 65 in an open position, wherebya mirror image version may be placed upon, whereby to enable nestingthereof. It will be appreciated, that in this version, there is noseparate lid. Conveniently the edges of the flap not being the hingewith sidewall 66, and as indicated by dotted lines 67 are either heavilyperforated to enable convenient opening of the flap about the hinge.Once the cardboard flap has been used for a first time and it isintended to re-use the box, the flap may be taped together usingadhesive-backed tape. If manufactured from, for example cardboard orcorrugated plastics/cardboard or other material, the thickness of thesidewalls may be 1-10 mm or more.

It will be appreciated that the sidewalls of the boxes are convenientlyrectilinear in plan view, but may be of a generally circular orelliptical shape and boxes according to the invention may generally beof any type having an upstanding sidewall. For example, the sidewall maybe curved (e.g. the box may be substantially cylindrical, or may have acurved sidewall defining another shape). Usually, however, the sidewallwill comprise a plurality of substantially flat faces, e.g. foursubstantially flat faces. For example, the box may be substantiallysquare or rectangular in plan view. For embodiments of the invention inwhich the sidewall comprises a plurality of faces, and thereforecomprises a plurality of corners between faces, preferably any gap (e.g.slot) in the sidewall is located at, or adjacent to, a respectivecorner. This has the advantage that when boxes are fitted together, theywill be overlapped (in plan view) to the maximum extent possible,thereby saving the greatest amount of space (in a lateral direction).For embodiments of the invention which comprise generally circular andelliptical boxes, the gaps will conveniently be arranged in an obliquefashion with respect to the wall, in the area of the wall.

1. A box, comprising a base and an upstanding sidewall defining aninterior volume of the box, the sidewall including at least one gapextending from a top edge thereof and at least one insert; whereby, inuse, each gap is closed by a respective insert to provide a continuousupstanding sidewall; and, in a storage mode, each gap is operable toaccept a sidewall of a corresponding mirror-image version of the boxsuch that the sidewall of a box could be received in the gap and aportion of the upstanding wall can be received in a gap defined in awall of said corresponding mirror-image version of the box, therebyallowing the boxes to fit together in an overlapping configuration.
 2. Abox according to claim 1, in which the base is unitary with thesidewall.
 3. A box according to claim 1, in which the sidewall includesonly one said gap.
 4. A box according to claim 1, wherein the box has aplurality of sides and in which a said gap is included in each of atleast two faces of the sidewall.
 5. A box according to claim 1, whereinthe box has at least two perpendicular sidewalls and wherein eachsidewall adjacent perpendicular sidewalls each have a gap definedtherein.
 6. A box according to claim 1, wherein the box has at least twoparallel spaced apart sidewalls and wherein each spaced apart sidewallhas a gap defined therein.
 7. A box according to any one of claims 1,wherein each insert comprises a component separate from the sidewall. 8.A box according to any one of claims 1, wherein each insert comprises aflap hingedly connected to a sidewall.
 9. A box according to claim 1,wherein each insert comprises a component separate from the sidewall, inwhich a said gap and a said insert are configured such that the insertis slidable into the gap from the top edge.
 10. A box according to claim1, wherein each insert comprises a component separate from the sidewall,in which a said insert is slidable into a said gap by means of at leastone protrusion and/or groove of the insert engaging with at least onerespective groove and/or protrusion of the sidewall.
 11. A box accordingto claim 1, in which the, or each, said gap comprises a slot.
 12. A boxaccording to claim 1, in which the, or each, said gap comprises a slot,in which the slot extends in a substantially perpendicular directionwith respect to the top edge and/or with respect to a base of the box.13. A box according to claim 1, in which the, or each, said gapcomprises a slot, in which the, or each, slot tapers in a direction awayfrom the top edge.
 14. A box according to claim 1, in which the, oreach, said gap is no wider than 25% wider than the thickness of thesidewall, preferably no wider than 10% wider than the thickness of thesidewall.
 15. A box according to claim 1, in which the, or each, saidgap has a depth of at least 25% of the height of the sidewall.
 16. A boxaccording to claim 1, in which the, or each, said gap has a depth of atleast 50%, preferably at least 75%, of the height of the sidewall.
 17. Abox according to claim 1, in which a or the sidewall is curved.
 18. Abox according to claim 1, in which the sidewall comprises a plurality ofsubstantially flat faces.
 19. A box according to claim 1, in which thesidewall comprises four substantially flat faces.
 20. A box according toclaim 1, further comprising a lid that is engageable with the top edgeto close the box.
 21. A box according to claim 1, which is formed frompolymer material, selected from the group including: expandedpolystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyethylene(EPE).
 22. A box according to claim 1, which is formed from a corrugatedmaterial, such as corrugated plastics or corrugated cardboard.
 23. A setof boxes comprising a first box according to claim 1 and a second boxcomprising an upstanding sidewall surrounding an interior volume of thebox, the first and second boxes configured such that they are able tofit together in an overlapping configuration by the sidewall of thesecond box being received in at least one said gap in the sidewall ofthe first box.
 24. A set of boxes comprising a first box according toclaim 1 and a second box comprising an upstanding sidewall surroundingan interior volume of the box, the first and second boxes configuredsuch that they are able to fit together in an overlapping configurationby the sidewall of the second box being received in at least one saidgap in the sidewall of the first box, in which the first and secondboxes are configured such that they are able to fit together in anoverlapping configuration by the sidewall of the second box beingreceived in at least one said gap in the sidewall of the first box, andby the sidewall of the first box being received in at least one said gapin the sidewall of the second box.